Weight screw

ABSTRACT

A screw comprising a drive part, a threaded part, and a retaining ring is disclosed herein. Each of the drive part and the threaded part comprises a plurality of interface surfaces that transmit torque from the drive part to the threaded part and prevent the parts from disengaging from one another during use. Each plurality of interface surfaces forms one or more geometric shapes that create additional friction between the drive and threaded parts, and may further include mating pins and holes to prevent the parts from detaching from one another. The retaining ring, which removably connects the screw to a wrench during assembly of the screw with a receptacle, is disposed within a cavity formed when the drive part is assembled with the threaded part.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/754,373, filed on Jan. 30, 2013, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/705,498 filed on Sep. 25,2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multi-piece weight screw with aretaining feature and a unidirectional torque transferring feature.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, golf consumers have become more interested incustomizing their golf equipment. As such, many manufacturers have begunincorporating adjustable features into their golf clubs. One suchfeature is weighting, which can be adjusted through the use of removableor movable weights, including weight screws, affixed to various regionsof a golf club head or shaft. While there are several different kinds ofgolf club weight screws currently available on the market, many of thesescrews have structural weaknesses that can lead to breakage and thusrequire consumers to spend additional money replacing them. Furthermore,once a weight is removed there is the potential for the consumer to loseit, which is inconvenient for the golfer. As such, there is a need for aweight screw with an improved structure that prevents breakage and loss.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a two piece weight screw that maybe used to adjust the weight of a golf club head. The two part screw ofthe present invention separates the first, drive part, which may beTorx™, hex, Phillips, etc., from the second, threaded part. This screwfurther includes a mechanism for removably attaching the screw to anadjustment wrench, which may be a retaining ring that engages a specificgeometry of the wrench. The retaining ring is disposed on the secondpart of the screw assembly, and preferably sits within a cavity in thesecond part where it cannot move in a vertical direction and has spaceto expand horizontally around its diameter. This cavity becomes anenclosed space when the first part of the screw assembly is assembledwith the second part of the screw assembly.

Another aspect of the present invention is a torque transfer method. Aninterface surface is provided between the first and second parts of thescrew assembly, and the interface of the present invention transfers thetorque applied at the drive side in the first part of the screw to thethreads of the second part of the screw without slipping.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a screw comprising adrive part comprising a receiving cavity, a threaded part comprising aprojecting portion and a pocket, and a retaining ring, wherein the drivepart is formed separately from the threaded part, wherein the retainingring is disposed in the pocket, and wherein the projecting portion issized to mate with the receiving cavity. In some embodiments, theretaining ring is composed of a material selected from the groupconsisting of elastomeric material, metal material, and compositematerial, and in a further embodiment may be composed of steel. In otherembodiments, the receiving cavity comprises a shape, which may beselected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, square,rectangular, oval, and hexalobular. In some embodiments, the receivingcavity may comprise a plurality of pins, the projecting portion maycomprise a plurality of holes, and the plurality of pins may mate withthe plurality of holes. In an alternative embodiment, the receivingcavity may comprise the plurality of holes and the projecting portionmay comprise the plurality of pins.

In one embodiment, the pocket may have a first diameter, the retainingring may have a second diameter, and the second diameter may be smallerthan the first diameter. In another embodiment, the pocket may be sizedto permit the retaining ring to expand in a horizontal direction and nota vertical direction. In some embodiments, the drive part may comprise athrough bore, which may have hexalobular geometry. In some embodiments,torque applied to the drive part may be transmitted to the threaded partvia the receiving cavity and the projecting portion. In anotherembodiment, the drive part may be composed of a first material, thethreaded part may be composed of a second material, and the firstmaterial may be different from the second material. In some embodiments,the drive part may be composed of a material having a density of no lessthan 1 g/cc to and no more than 16 g/cc, and in other embodiments, thethreaded part may be composed of a material having a density of no lessthan 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12 g/cc. In still other embodiments, thedrive part may be composed of thixomolded magnesium material, and thethreaded part may be composed of a different metal material.

Another aspect of the present invention is a weight screw comprising adrive part composed of a material having a density of no less than 1g/cc to and no more than 16 g/cc, a threaded part formed separately fromthe threaded part composed of a material having a density of no lessthan 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12 g/cc, a receiving cavity, a projectingportion, a pocket, and a retaining ring composed of a metal alloy,wherein the retaining ring is disposed in the pocket, wherein the pocketis sized to permit the retaining ring to expand in a horizontaldirection and not a vertical direction, and wherein the projectingportion is sized to mate with the receiving cavity. In some embodiments,the receiving cavity may be disposed on the drive part, the projectingportion and the pocket may be disposed on the threaded part, and thereceiving cavity may have a hexalobular shape. Another embodiment mayfurther comprise a plurality of holes and a plurality of pins that matewith the plurality of holes. In a further embodiment, the plurality ofholes may be disposed on the receiving cavity and the plurality of pinsmay be disposed on the projecting portion.

Another aspect of the present invention is a set of weight screws or akit comprising one or more of the weight screws described herein.

Having briefly described the present invention, the above and furtherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by thoseskilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description ofthe invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1Aalong lines 2-2.

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the drive part of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the firstembodiment with a retaining ring.

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the firstembodiment without a retaining ring.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 alonglines 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the secondembodiment without a retaining ring.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the secondembodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9along lines 10-10.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the thirdembodiment without a retaining ring.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the thirdembodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13along lines 14-14.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the fourthembodiment without a retaining ring.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 17along lines 18-18.

FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the fifthembodiment without a retaining ring.

FIG. 20 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the fifthembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 21along lines 22-22.

FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of the threaded part of the sixthembodiment without a retaining ring.

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the drive part of the sixthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The weight screws of the present invention are designed to help a golferachieve discrete weighting goals in golf club heads without sacrificingstructural integrity, but do not have to be limited to use with golfclubs, or even sporting equipment, as they can be used with anystructure or device that requires or could benefit from adjustableweight technology. The weight screws of the present invention are alsodesigned to be retained on a wrench during adjustment and thus be lesssusceptible to loss. The weight screws of the present invention mayinclude one or more features of the weight screws disclosed in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/410,127, filed on Mar. 1, 2012, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyherein. The weight screws of the present invention may also include anyof the features of the embodiments disclosed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/412,395, filed on Mar. 5, 2012, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In particular,the weight screws of the present invention may include the interruptedthread pattern disclosed in that application.

As shown in the Figures, each screw 10 of the present invention has afirst, drive part 20 and a second, threaded part 30, which combine tocreate an internal pocket or cavity 40 that houses the retaining ring 50and prevents it from moving in a vertical direction inside the screw 10while allowing it to expand horizontally. A preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 1A through 4B. As shown in theseFigures, the drive part 20 has a hexalobular through-bore 21 and areceiving cavity 22 with a plurality of interface surfaces 25.

The threaded part 30 has a threaded region 31 and a head 34 having aprojecting portion 32, which also comprises a plurality of interfacesurfaces 35. In order to assemble the screw 10, the projecting portion32 mates with the receiving cavity 22 to connect the drive part 20 andthe threaded part 30 together, and friction between the interfacesurfaces 25, 35 prevents these two parts 20, 30 from disengaging fromone another during use. The interface surfaces 25 of the drive part 20also bear against the interface surfaces 35 of the threaded part 30, andtransmit torque from the drive part 20 to the threaded part 30 when thescrew is being threaded into a receptacle, (such as one of the weightports shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/629,391, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entiretyherein) using a wrench or other tool.

The retaining ring 50, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, preferably has a shapesimilar to the letter C, with an inner opening 52 and a side opening 54,and is composed of a metal material, but may in alternative embodimentsbe composed of an elastomeric material. The retaining ring 50 preferablyhas a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the cavity 40. Whena torque wrench (not shown) is applied to the screw 10 of the presentinvention, the tip of the wrench extends through the inner opening 52 ofthe retaining ring 50, pushing the two ends 56, 58 apart and causing thering's 50 radius to expand in a horizontal direction, press against thewall 42 of the cavity 40, and press against and grip the tip of thewrench. In this way, the retaining ring 50 causes the screw 10 to becomeremovably affixed to the wrench during removal, and reduces thelikelihood that the screw 10 will be lost during adjustment. It isimportant that the retaining ring 50 be composed of material withsufficient elasticity and structural integrity to ensure expansion andavoid breakage while allowing the retaining ring 50 to return to itsoriginal, unexpanded configuration, such as steel or other metal alloys.

The interface surfaces 25, 35 are shaped to transmit torque from thedrive part 20 to the threaded part 30. As shown in the Figures,interface surfaced 25, 35 the screw 10 of the present invention may formstructures having various shapes or geometries. For example, in thepreferred embodiment, the interface surfaces 25, 35 of the drive andthreaded parts 20, 30 include a circular configuration 26 a, 36 a. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8, the interface surfaces 25, 35 of thedrive and threaded parts 20, 30 include a triangular configuration 26 b,36 b. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-12, the interface surfaces 25,35 of the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 include a hexalobularconfiguration 26 c, 36 c.

In other embodiments, the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 of the screwmay include additional features to ensure that the parts 20, 30 do notdisengage from each other during use. For example, the embodiments shownin FIGS. 13 through 24 include projections or pins 61, 62, 63 extendingfrom the receiving cavity 22 of the drive part 20 that mate with holes71, 72, 73 extending into the projecting portion 32 of the threaded part30. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-16, the interface surfaces 25,35 of the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 include a triangularconfiguration 26 b, 36 b and the pins 61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73described herein. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-20, the interfacesurfaces 25, 35 of the drive and threaded parts 20, 30 include adifferent triangular configuration 26 d, 36 d that incorporates the pins61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73 into its structure. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 21-24, the interface surfaces 25, 35 of the drive andthreaded parts 20, 30 include a rounded triangular configuration 26 e,36 e and the pins 61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73 described herein.

Screws 10 with low torque requirements can use simple press fitdiameters, such as those included in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1Athrough 12, to transmit the torque, and rely on the friction between theinterface surfaces 25, 35 to resist torque applied to the drive part 20.For higher torque requirements, the interface surfaces 25, 35 need to beconnected by more than just friction. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 13through 24 transmit higher torque forces due to the inclusion of pins61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73, so are more suitable for higher torquerequirements.

The embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-24 are not intended to be limiting,however, because the screw 10 of the present invention may incorporate astructure of any shape, including those disclosed herein, in itsinterface surfaces 25, 35 to increase friction and transmit torque, andmay also combine any of the shapes disclosed herein or known to a personskilled in the art with the pins 61, 62, 63 and holes 71, 72, 73described herein. In one alternative embodiment, for example, the pins61, 62, 63 may be disposed on the projecting portion 32 while the holes71, 72, 73 may be disposed within the receiving cavity 22. Theembodiments disclosed herein may also be composed of any number ofmaterials known to a person skilled in the art, and the drive part 20 ofthe screws 10 disclosed herein may have through-bores with any number ofshapes other than hexalobular.

Each of the parts of the embodiments disclosed herein may be composed ofany material known to a person skilled in the art, including metalalloys such as tungsten alloy, aluminum alloy, steel, titanium alloy,and magnesium alloy, polymeric materials such as plastic and rubber, andcomposite materials, and may be made by any process known in the art,including, but not limited to, metal injection molding, powdermetallurgy, and thixomolding. The materials used to form the screws 10disclosed herein can be selected based on the type of weightingrequired. For example, if a golf club head requires a heavy weight, oneor more parts of the screw 10 can be composed of a high density materialsuch as tungsten, whereas a golf club head requiring a lightweightweight could incorporate a screw 10 with one or more parts composed ofcomposite, plastic, aluminum alloy, or magnesium alloy. The material ofthe drive part 20 can be adjusted, while maintaining a consistent volumeof the drive part 20, to adjust the overall weight of the screw 10 ofthe present invention, and separating the drive part 20 from thethreaded part 30 allows for cost savings if only the drive part 20material needs to change to provide multiple weighting options.

In one particular embodiment, each of the drive part 20, threaded part30, and retaining ring 50 is formed from stainless steel. Weight screws10 having this material composition and a length of approximately 0.600inch were hit tested by engaging the screws 10 with weight ports in agolf club head and then hitting golf balls with the golf club head10,000 times at a speed of 110 mph at various points on the golf clubface. The screws 10 did not crack and their length did not change at anypoint during this test.

In another particular embodiment, the drive part is 20 is formed from athixomolded magnesium alloy, while the threaded part 30 is formed from adifferent, metal alloy.

From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinentart will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention andwill readily understand that while the present invention has beendescribed in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and otherembodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes,modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which isintended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in thefollowing appended claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the inventionin which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined inthe following appended claims.

We claim as our invention:
 1. A screw comprising: a drive partcomprising a receiving cavity; a threaded part comprising a projectingportion and a pocket; and a retaining ring wherein the drive part isformed separately from the threaded part, wherein the retaining ring isdisposed in the pocket, wherein the projecting portion is sized to matewith the receiving cavity, wherein one of the receiving cavity and theprojecting portion comprises a plurality of pins, wherein the other ofthe receiving cavity and the projecting portion comprises a plurality ofholes, and wherein the plurality of pins mates with the plurality ofholes.
 2. The screw of claim 1, wherein the retaining ring is composedof a material selected from the group consisting of elastomer, metal,and composite.
 3. The screw of claim 2, wherein the retaining ring iscomposed of a metal material.
 4. The screw of claim 3, wherein theretaining ring is composed of steel.
 5. The screw of claim 1, whereinthe receiving cavity comprises a shape.
 6. The screw of claim 5, whereinthe shape is selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular,square, rectangular, oval, and hexalobular.
 7. The screw of claim 1,wherein the pocket has a first diameter, wherein the retaining ring hasa second diameter, and wherein the second diameter is smaller than thefirst diameter.
 8. The screw of claim 1, wherein the pocket is sized topermit the retaining ring to expand in a horizontal direction and not avertical direction.
 9. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive partcomprises a through bore with a hexalobular geometry.
 10. The screw ofclaim 1, wherein torque applied to the drive part is transmitted to thethreaded part via the receiving cavity and the projecting portion. 11.The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part is composed of a firstmaterial, wherein the threaded part is composed of a second material,and wherein the first material is different from the second material.12. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part is composed of amaterial having a density of no less than 1 g/cc to and no more than 16g/cc.
 13. The screw of claim 1, wherein the threaded part is composed ofa material having a density of no less than 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12g/cc.
 14. The screw of claim 1, wherein the drive part is composed ofthixomolded magnesium material, and wherein the threaded part iscomposed of a different metal material.
 15. A weight screw comprising: adrive part composed of a material having a density of no less than 1g/cc to and no more than 16 g/cc; a threaded part formed separately fromthe threaded part composed of a material having a density of no lessthan 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12 g/cc; a receiving cavity disposed onthe drive part; a projecting portion disposed on the threaded part; apocket disposed on the threaded part; and a retaining ring composed of ametal alloy, wherein the retaining ring is disposed in the pocket,wherein the pocket is sized to permit the retaining ring to expand in ahorizontal direction and not a vertical direction, wherein theprojecting portion is sized to mate with the receiving cavity, andwherein the receiving cavity has a hexalobular shape.
 16. A weight screwcomprising: a drive part composed of a material having a density of noless than 1 g/cc to and no more than 16 g/cc; a threaded part formedseparately from the threaded part composed of a material having adensity of no less than 2.5 g/cc and no more than 12 g/cc; a receivingcavity; a projecting portion; a pocket; a retaining ring composed of ametal alloy; a plurality of holes; and a plurality of pins, wherein theplurality of pins mates with the plurality of holes, wherein theretaining ring is disposed in the pocket, wherein the pocket is sized topermit the retaining ring to expand in a horizontal direction and not avertical direction, and wherein the projecting portion is sized to matewith the receiving cavity.
 17. The weight screw of claim 16, wherein theplurality of holes is disposed on the receiving cavity, and wherein theplurality of pins is disposed on the projecting portion.
 18. The weightscrew of claim 16, wherein the receiving cavity comprises a shape. 19.The weight screw of claim 18, wherein the shape is selected from thegroup consisting of circular, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, andhexalobular.